Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Last 2009 Post

It's been 2 months since my last update. The weather that I said was so pleasant back in September now has the usual wintry menu: big dark gray skies (making noon feel like early evening), with blustery chilly winds and moderate helpings of rain on the side.
Made some really nice wedding photos back on the 6th for my second Dutch ceremony (see website or Facebook album) and have a marketing shoot coming up before our visit to the US if the client wraps up their end in time. Did the cover graphic design for the Magazine issue that comes out soon, and one of my Alkmaar images will grace the spring cover next March. Interviewed the British Consul for a profile of him, and writing the last of 2 articles for the spring issue from my pen (okay, Mac). The ACCESS calendar is coming out soon, and supposed to contain several of my images that I submitted to the Editor in Chief, who said they were "brilliant" and asked if they were all mine. Hmmmm, sounded like he couldn't connect something he thought had merit, and yours truly. Bummer. Anyway, after deciding not to say I plagiarized them all, I did indeed take responsibility for them all. Whether that will lead to any assignments or work with the 2 magazines he's involved with will be determined at a later date.

We jumped 2 1/2 hours southeast last weekend to a small town named Aachen across the German border to check out their Christmas Market. Was a little strange hearing Jose Feliciano singing "Feliz Navidad" in Germany. Made me think of my high school Spanish teacher. All of the booths were full of chachki's or something to eat. A huge, inflatable gingerbread cookie was the "mascot", as it towered over the proceedings only to be out "verticaled" by the Town Hall that stood nearby, which was built by Charlemagne back in the day - I'm talking waaaaaaaay back in the day (the 790's to be precise). The weather was an absolute gift, sprinkling only a little late in the evening while providing cloudy skies and around 60f during our major "walk-around" time. Gluhwein is the popular seasonal drink, a sweet red wine served warm. You can get a hit of amaretto or a number of different liquids in it. Most are cradling the drink in their fingers, especially when it's cold, to keep a small portion of their outsides warm before it dribbles down their esophagi to keep their insides warm. Nearby restaurants and cafes also fill up with visitors from all over - so much food. Luckily, our hotel was perhaps a 15 minutes walk, so after our filling breakfasts and dinners, we walked our way to a little turbo-digestion. A few years back I would've been looking to eat again after that 15 minute burn to maintain my Greek God, 120 pound temple!

Well folks, that brings 2009 to a close. Have a great holiday season. Maybe I'll see some of you back in the states soon. See you on here again in 2010, unless something compels me to add to this once again in the next 30 or so days. Til then.......